Folding box



.( O Model) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

E. E. PRATT. FOLDING BOX.

Patented Apr. 19, 1898.

WITNESSES.

2 t e e h S W e e h s 2 m AB RG m D L m E u d 0 M o w No. 602,588. Patented Apr. 19, 1898.

WITNESSES PATENT 'FFKCE.

EUGENE E. PRATT, OF ANDOVER, SOUTH DAKOTA.

FOLDING BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,588, dated April lQ, 1898. Application filed June 24, 1897. Serial No. 642,134. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE E. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Andover, in the county of Day and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the acoompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding boxes or fruit-crates; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out particularly in the claim.

The object of the invention is to provide a box for the shipment of eggs, fruit, dry goods, and other merchandise that shall be cheap, strong, and simple of construction and one that may be folded up, so as to occupy less space and be more conveniently handled for a return shipment, which object is attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a box as made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the box in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through Fig. 1, showing particularly the ventilating-tubes. Fig. 4 represents details of the lock employed in holding the hinged members together when extended. Fig. 5 shows, somewhat enlarged, one corner of the box in horizontal section, illustrating the manner of holdingthe ends and sides in their relative positions when the box is unfolded.

Referring to the numerals of reference, 1 designates the bottom, which may be of any suitable size and preferably of a rectangular formation. Rising from the sides of said bottom piece are side strips 2 and 3, said strip 3 being secured to the back and extends to a greater height than strip 2, which is secured to the front side of said bottom. Pivoted to said strip 2, with the hinges upon the inner side, is the back 4, and similarly hinged to strip 3 is the front side 5, said front portion having a flanged or angled portion 5 extending inward at right angles from its upper edge.

Hinged to the upper edge of back strip 4is a top strip 7, and hinged to said strip 7is the top or cover 8. The hinges of said members 7 and 8 are located upon the upper side, and a double hinge 9 is provided therefor, such hinge being clearly represented in Fig. l.

10 designates the end strips,which are rigidly secured at their forward ends to bottom 1 and to side strips 2 and 3. Their rear ends, terminating at 10, are held in position by means of metal sheets 6, said sheets being secured to said end strips, to bottom strips 2, and to bottom 1. Pivoted to the ends of front piece 5 are the ends 11, said end pieces being of such thickness and extension as to snugly fit under flange 5 and are pivoted to said front piece upon their inner sides, so that when they are folded against said front they will swing clear of end strips 10. Secured to the outside of said ends 11 are handles 12, (one only being shown,) which may be of any suitable construction.

13 indicates a spring-depressed bolt which is adapted to extend through flange 5 and to enter the front edge of top 8 to prevent said top from being raised except when said bolt is withdrawn, as will be readily understood.

Any suitable form of spring-catch may be employed for holding the free ends of the end pieces 11 contiguous with back strip 4; but the means I employ in the present instance consists of a spring-metal tongue 14, which is rigidly secured at one end to the inner face of back 4, its free end extending over a cavity 21. Also extending over said cavity and over the free end of said tongue 14 is a bifurcated abutting piece 15.

16 designates an arm which is rigidly secured to the inner face of end piece 11, said arm being provided with a head at its outer end, which head is adapted to slip past the end of tongue 14 as its neck 16' enters between the bifurcations of piece 15. In releasing this catch tongue 14 is depressed sufficiently to allow the head of arm 16 to pass. therebe'fore, as will be apparent.

In folding this improved box from the position shown in Fig. 1 .to that shown in Fig. 2 bolt 13 is withdrawn, when cover 8 and top strip 7 are folded over, so as to depend against the rear side of back 4, tongues 14: of sides 11 are depressed, allowing the ends to be folded in upon the rear face of front 5, when said front is dropped down upon the upper face of bottom 1, and said back 4 and its hinged members are folded down upon the outer face of said front. The unfolding of the box is accomplished by a reverse operation or folding of the parts of the box.

17 designates a link which is pivoted at one of its ends to the end of bottom 1, its opposite recessed end being adapted to be swung upward, so as to engage with a headed pin 19. It will be understood that one of these bars is pivoted to each end of the box and is adapted to hold the parts securely together when folded, and said bars are adapted to engage a pin 18 in a similar manner, which projects from said bottom to hold them in place when not in use.

20 indicates perforated tubes which are adapted to enter recesses in opposite sides of the box, said recesses having small apertures leading therethrough to the outer air. It will thus be seen that a free circulation of air is provided throughout the interior of the box, which is a great desideratum when fruit or vegetables are shipped therein. Any desired or requisite number of these tubes may be employed.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a folding box, the combination of the bottom 1 having end, front and back strips respectively secured rigidly thereto, the front and back hinged to said front and back strips, said front having a flanged portion 5' extending inward therefrom, the top strip 7 and cover 8 hinged to said back by means of a double hinge 9,the spring-metal tongue adapted to be depressed into the recess formed in the inner face of front 5, the bifurcated abutting piece extending over said tongue, the headed arm adapted to engage said tongue and abutting piece, and the parts adapted to be folded, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE E. PRATT.

-Witnesses:

FRED S. Pnw, CARL F. PRATT. 

